Nature Bridges Blog

A comparison of Lafayette Heritage Trail’s covered bridge and approach in 2014 and 2025, Lafayette Heritage Trail Park, Tallahassee, FL 2014 Photo credit: Lou Kellenberger 2025 Photo credit: Ryan Ketterman Photography Nature Bridges has been designing and constructing beautiful outdoor structures in sensitive environments since 1997, and we’ve always been proud of our durable, eco-friendly structures and our talent for connecting people with delicate natural habitats. Recently, we had the opportunity to look back at a project we completed in 2014. We build every project for durability, but we’re still always amazed at how stunning our construction looks and feels […]

Read More… from Longevity and Bridges: A Look at Lafayette Heritage Trail

Timber bridge at WaterColor Inn, Santa Rosa Beach, FL Bridges are more than a way to get from Point A to Point B – they’re an opportunity to blend utility and creativity. Whether your bridge is nestled in a park, nature preserve, or residential landscape, it can be designed with elements that turn a standard structure into a visual masterpiece. When you incorporate architectural art into bridge construction, designers create spaces that invite movement and admiration. Railings That Tell a Story Railing at Cranes Roost, Altamonte Springs, FL One of the most visible areas for artistic expression on a bridge […]

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Great blue heron flying over Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, Woodbridge, VA Photo credit: Keith Eugene Peterson Outdoor structures are functional for the people who visit parks, trails, and nature preserves, but they can be so much more – they can also be essential tools for protecting wildlife and educating the public about nature. When designed with birds and biodiversity in mind, structures like boardwalks, observation decks, and educational signage can be powerful assets for conservation and learning. When we integrate these and other bird-friendly elements into outdoor construction, we support the environment as well as the communities that […]

Read More… from Bird-Friendly Structures: Enhancing Biodiversity and Education

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” This theme focuses on the expansion of renewable energy, and it reminds us how important it is to consider sustainability. We can integrate these practices into everyday structures like bridges and boardwalks. One way we can do that is with solar lighting, which supports this vision and enhances the safety and security of our outdoor spaces. Solar Lighting: Sustainability, Safety, and Security Solar lighting is a key player as we work towards renewable energy in outdoor construction. It offers reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly lighting solutions for outdoor structures such […]

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When you’re responsible for a park, creating an innovative and incredible experience for visitors can be complicated. One potential answer is to add pavilions. These versatile structures enhance both public and private parks and provide a sheltered space for outdoor events, picnics, and even community gatherings. When designing a pavilion, functionality and aesthetic appeal are both important, and innovative approaches can help balance community needs with the visual appeal of communal recreation spaces. Blending Functionality and Style The best pavilion designs harmonize with their surroundings, whether they’re nestled in a natural park or an urban public area. Architects can push […]

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With a custom bridge, you can easily transform your ordinary residential landscape into a stunning visual masterpiece. Custom bridges are tailored to fit your own unique aesthetic and functional needs. With the right bridge design, a simple way to walk across obstacles like streams and ravines can become a focal point that enhances the beauty and value of your home. The Art of Customization Nature Bridges customizes every bridge design to match the architectural and natural beauty of a property. With a residence, the only thing that changes is the functional aspect of the bridge. With designers who look at […]

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Winter is quickly turning into Spring, and that means more nature walks! Nature trails and boardwalks become bustling pathways for hikers and nature enthusiasts to enjoy the blossoming landscape. To ensure that your walkways are safe, appealing, and ready to handle the influx of spring visitors, it’s important to prepare and take care of any trail maintenance. Trail Inspection and Assessment As usual, start with a thorough inspection of your trail or boardwalk. Whether your winter is mild or harsh, the cold weather can leave behind damage that needs to be assessed. Check for and repair any physical damage like […]

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Starting a bridge – or other outdoor structure – project is exciting! When you have a vision, you want it to become reality as soon as possible. But, it requires meticulous preparation. Before you reach out to a bridge constructor like Nature Bridges, you should get several pieces of information that can help streamline the bridge designer’s consultation with you and ensure that the project kicks off smoothly. Type of Structure First, identify the type of structure you need. Are you looking for a vehicular access bridge, pedestrian bridge, or a golf cart path? When we understand the primary function […]

Read More… from Before We Start: What Your Bridge Constructor Needs to Know

You can still explore nature when the temperatures drop. Winter offers a unique opportunity to observe wildlife in a seemingly new environment – through the cold and sometimes even snow. Boardwalks and bridges can enhance accessibility to natural areas and serve as an excellent platform for winter wildlife observation. In addition, these structures help protect the creatures you encounter on chilly outdoor adventures. Discovering Wildlife in Winter In the winter, the cold weather strips the landscape bare, especially deciduous trees and other plants that may otherwise help hide wild creatures. With less foliage, you can catch a clearer glimpse of […]

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Many factors go into building any bridge, but vehicular bridges require even more consideration, even when the bridge will be built on private property. The design and construction require meticulous planning to ensure they can handle the weight of vehicles crossing as well as the volume of traffic. Structural Integrity and Load Capacity When building a vehicular bridge, one of the primary concerns is weight – ensuring that the structure can handle the substantial load of vehicles over time. This involves careful calculations, including the load-bearing capacity of the structure. In the end, robust engineering is required so that the […]

Read More… from Thinking Bigger with Vehicular Bridges